Debra LaFave back on probation in student sex case

Tampa, Florida -- Debra LaFave had a taste of true freedom, but she likely won't experience it again for years.

LaFave -- who now uses her maiden name ofBeasley -- was back in a Hillsborough County courtroom Thursday morning. The focus of the 8:30 a.m. hearingwas the future of her probation.

You'll remember LaFave served no prison time for having sex with a 14-year old student while she was a teacher at Greco Middle School. As part of a plea deal in 2005, she got three years of house arrest, followed by seven years of probation.

About halfway through that probation a judge granted her request to end her probation early and get her back to full freedom.

For months after that ruling, she was able to come and go as she pleased.

But prosecutors said wait a minute -- her original plea deal made it clear that there's no ending this early. Under the deal, she has to serve the whole seven years with restrictions on her travel, limits on her access to children,and a curfew.

A few months ago, an appeals court said it agreed with the prosecutors: the deal LaFave made in 2005 has to stick, including the part where she couldn't get off probation early.

She went back on probation in December; Thursday's hearing confirmed the details of her renewed probation, which should continue for the next four years and two months, into 2017.

LaFave's lawyer has appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.

She's hoping the justices will decide that she can end her probation early because she's done everything the court has asked of her.

The Supreme Court may rule that way, or it may not, but it did say last month that the justices are OK with LaFave going back on probation for now while she waits for an answer.